$36 million Al Horford ‘upgrade’ pitched for Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics could pursue a highly-paid Al Horford upgrade in the frontcourt according to NESN’s Gio Rivera — who floated the name of Wizards big man Kristaps Porzingis and his $36 million expiring contract.
“Obviously, there’s the salary factor in place that would complicate (a Porzingis pursuit), but the 27-year-old would be a huge upgrade from the cement-footed Al Horford, who is far beyond his prime and got exposed for his age throughout the playoffs,” Rivera wrote.
To land Porzingis, the Celtics would have to include some combination of salaries like Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and/or Horford himself. One would think Jaylen Brown’s inclusion would require Bradley Beal to also be involved, while Jayson Tatum figures to be a non-starter in any trade talks Boston’s front office holds this offseason.
The Boston Celtics tried to trade for Kristaps Porzingis in 2017
Phil Jackson famously took over the Knicks and failed miserably in turning the franchise into a perennial contender. In fact, New York missed the postseason every season Jackson was running the show in the Big Apple.
What arguably got Jackson fired from his post as President of Basketball Operations was dangling Porzingis in trade talks with the Boston Celtics. In 2017, Jackson set an asking price for the Cs: the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, the Nets’ first-round pick in 2018, and forwards Jaylen Brown and Jae Crowder.
Jackson confirmed that he had been shopping Porzingis due to his absence from the team’s exit meeting per Ian Begley.
“As much as we value Kristaps and what he’s done for us, when a guy doesn’t show up for an exit meeting, everybody starts speculating on the duration or movability from a club,” Jackson prefaced before saying, “So we’ve been getting calls and we’re listening, but we’re not intrigued yet at this level. But as much as we love this guy, we have to do what’s good for our club.”
In hindsight, the Celtics were wise not to meet the asking price for Porzingis, but Jackson was not wise to put his franchise star on the trade block in a petty matter.